Monday, 3 March 2025

NWC Starts Emergency Sewage Work in Greater Portmore

 Press Release From The Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation


                                                          March 3, 2025

Emergency Works Underway at Greater Portmore Sewage System to Bring Relief to Residents

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Matthew Samuda, today disclosed that the National Water Commission (NWC), has initiated emergency rehabilitation works at the Greater Portmore sewage pond to address the severe challenges affecting residents, students, and businesses in the area. 
 
Following a tour of the facility, Minister Samuda said, “The current condition of the western sewage ponds has led to intolerable conditions, affecting citizens living in proximity and students of Greater Portmore high school. The western ponds will require a similar level of upgrade completed at the eastern sewage ponds in 2022, which were completed at a cost of $935 million”.
 
The Minister who has portfolio responsibility for water noted that with the rapid growth of Portmore’s population and Improper disposal of personal hygiene products, including condoms and sanitary napkins, a strain is on the existing infrastructure, necessitating immediate intervention. 
 
He went on to outline the ongoing and planned emergency works:

  • De-sludging of the sewage ponds to remove accumulated waste and restore proper function.
  • Installation of three (3) aerators, to enhance wastewater treatment.
  • Deployment of two (2) additional pumps to increase pumping efficiency—one already installed and operational, with the second to be used as a standby unit.
  • Exploration of deodorising solutions to reduce unpleasant odours; testing is currently underway.
  • De-bushing and clearing of vegetation at the sewage ponds, with work already underway.
  • Implementation of strict access control measures to prevent waste deposits and prevent similar disruptions during school hours.

Minister Samuda expressed deep concern over the impact of the sewage issues on residents and students, “We recognise the distress this situation has caused, and we sincerely apologise to the residents and students who are being affected. We are moving as quickly as possible to implement solutions that will provide relief”.
 
The NWC and MEGJC are working closely with the school administration and community stakeholders to ensure minimal displacement and the efficient execution of these critical upgrades. While some relief is expected within 24 hours, the full scope of work is anticipated to be completed within three weeks. 



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5 comments:

  1. Anonymous4 March 2025 at 18:01

    What about the sewage ponds at Hellshire ?. They are not being maintained properly, and they are building more. The existing ones are being overgrown by reeds in certain areas and not allowing for the breakdown of the effluent by the sunlight. The areas around the ponds are overgrown by bushes, and it is said that the crocodiles are starting to venture out into the bushes. One older gentleman was recently found in the one of the ponds half eaten by the crocodiles, I don’t even think it made the news, as it is said that he was of unsound mind. I understand that his body was hastily burned without even a funeral

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bark Di Trute4 March 2025 at 19:15

      I will ensure the NWC make a note of this.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous4 March 2025 at 21:07

      This falls under the UDC the NWC tells me.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous4 March 2025 at 20:43

    Why should it take a
    Minister visiting to carry out a maintenance and upgrade plan? Dont they have engineers ?. I hope ppl realise that these reed beds are what nepa is approving for many developments in Kingston and St Andrew. Imagine having one of those malfunctioning 15 feet from your house.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Interested party14 March 2025 at 17:45

    Sewage treatment ponds are by far the most effective form of general sewage treatment that exist. They are the easiest to maintain, give off the least odours, and treat the sewage to levels far above any mechanical device, removing the contaminants almost to the point of palatability (not suggesting you try it). The main disadvantage is the space needed. However they still need to be maintained, and the design is important. There needs to be a preliminary filter box to stop hard material (pads, etc) from entering the ponds. After that the fluid should flow gradually, ideally under the force of gravity, through the sequence of ponds. The first set of ponds are the ones where most of the sludge settles, and these need regular de-sludging over time to prevent the residue from building up. After that, the effluent should flow slowly through the other ponds, where the exposure to air and sunlight removes the contaminants to an amazing level. The existing outflow effluent should be tested intermittently for quality, but if maintained properly, should produce very clean fluid. The maintenance needed involves - cleaning the filter box - de-sludging the first set of ponds - and allowing no vegetation to grow in any pond. Note that sewage ponds are not reed beds. The latter are much smaller contraptions that utilize the vegetative growth in the treatment process, but not the sewage ponds. Once the above maintenance is carried out in a well designed system, the results are great (and the maintenance timing involved is not very demanding, but it must be consistent) . Given the country's approach to maintenance, plants that depend on mechanical devices (apart from a possible pump in the afore mentioned filter box) invariably malfunction, and lead to humongous odour concerns, and even worse effluent. Given the pond systems that exist in the island (such as MoBay, Portmore, Hellshire, Soapberry, etc) checks can be made on the existing capacity vs anticipated input flow, with possible enlargement if needed, but keeping the flow gravity-driven. After that just maintenance, intermittently but consistently. Clean water

    ReplyDelete

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